BEN TURNER'S return to action didn't quite to go plan yesterday as the young centre-back had to go off injured after playing almost a full match for the reserves.

But the good news for the Sky Blues defender is that the troubled hamstrings that have kept him out since January held up well before he was forced off with a sprained elbow after falling awkwardly during a challenge in the dying minutes.

"I was very pleased to get a game because I have been waiting for a long time now and thankfully I got through the game apart from hurting my arm late on, but hopefully it will be all right," said the 20-year-old who helped City keep a clean sheet in the goalless draw with Bradford City at Liberty Way.

"I was a little bit off the pace in terms of my fitness but that was to be expected and you can't get better than getting games to improve that, and that's what I need to get back to the level of of fitness I had before.

"It is a big step for me to get this game, especially at this time of the season when training eases off a bit because it is more about the games than fitness for the first team, so the training hasn't been as intensive as it was at the start of the season because the manager has to make sure everyone is fresh enough for the relegation battle."

As for his elbow, which he had strapped up with an ice pack afterwards, he revealed: "I just think I have sprained it. I will see how it is after a day or so but hopefully it won't need an Xray and it should be OK.

"The main thing is my ham-string is fine and feels OK, and I'm pretty confident about it now. This is the time I have got to be more careful with it because coming through my first game I could get over confident and I have got to keep doing the strengthening and stretching work.

"It has been about three and a half months since I played. I tore my hamstring and then it went a second time when I was coming back, so I have been out a month and a half each time and I am just glad to be back.

"The plan now is to get as fit as I can. It is going to be difficult for me to get up to relegation dogfight fitness because you have got to be right on your game.

"I have spoken to the manager and hopefully next season will be another big one for me.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of pushing the two lads who are playing at the moment. We all have something to offer and hopefully I can get some games next season. I did that this season and if I can do that I will be happy.

"I made 22 starts this season and to stay in the team as I did, I am very proud of that and I am looking forward to the future. You get a buzz playing first team football and that's where I want to be playing."